A dedicated team of third-year law students from the North-West University (NWU), representing the NWU team, won their first-ever annual Juta Mock Trials competition. The NWU team, consisting of members across all three campuses of the NWU, argued for the state in the final round of the competition against the Potchefstroom second-year law team, who were representing the defence in an robbery case.
The final round of the popular mock trials was held at the Sanlam Auditorium on the Potchefstroom Campus on Monday, 18 August, and the third-year team consisting of Lafras Uys, Kitso Tsatsi, Bongeka Sidane and Kabelo Mathipe, emerged victorious.
This annual competition, jointly hosted by the NWU Faculty of Law and Juta, shares a common purpose of giving students the experience to harness their legal skills in a competitive and educational setting.
“As a team, we feel honoured to have made history. We met each other only on Friday and the going was not easy. The journey was educational, humbling and inspirational. We would like to extend our gratitude to our lecturers and tutors and the sponsor of the NWU Juta Mock Trials,” said the winning team.
The winners each received cash prizes worth R1 500, along with tablets and book vouchers from Juta, while the runners-up also received cash prizes worth R1 500.
Mr Edmund Beerwinkel, chief content and product officer at Juta, emphasised the importance of mock trials, alluding to the fact that they will help students with their legal research when they enter into practice.
“Mock trials assist in developing critical thinking and building confidence. They foster the confidence to think on your feet and effectively present your case, and provide public speaking experience.”
Among the esteemed guests present were Magistrate Duane Spandiel, Joycell Abrahams, Sharonah Molemane and other senior faculty staff. Judge President Hendricks and acting Judge Wessels from the Mahikeng High Court presided over the final round of the competition.
Judge President Hendricks praised the participating students for the dedication and commitment they brought to the competition.
“You were so well prepared. Your address and the case law you referred to were very much on point,” he said.
The participating students in the 2025 NWU Juta Mock Trials each received a certificate of participation for their hard work and perseverance in competing for the honours.
Patrick Mogale, a devoted lecturer for undergraduate studies at the Faculty of Law at the Mahikeng Campus, effectively coordinated the competition.
Competition overview
The NWU three-day programme kicked off with an opening and welcoming ceremony on Friday, 15 August.
On Saturday, 16 August, the participating students attended a workshop and training session at the Moot Court, building up to the semifinal round of the competition. The cross-campus elimination rounds proceeded on Sunday, 17 August, with students battling it out for a place in the final round.
The NWU Juta Mock Trials represent the innovative vision of Adv Renѐ Koraan, a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Law. This initiative provides second- and third-year students with a valuable opportunity to acquire practical experience.
The NWU third-year law team, winners of the 2025 Juta Mock Trials. From the left are Lafras Uys, Kitso Tsatsi, Bongeka Sidane and Belo Thipe, together with acting faculty dean Prof Henk Kloppers.
The Potchefstroom Campus second-year law team were the runners-up.
The Mahikeng Campus second-year law team won the NWU-Juta Mock Trials photo competition, a Facebook challenge in which the photo with the most likes and comments wins a cash prize.
